Composite Materials and Applications Thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to composite materials. In one embodiment, a composite material comprises an inorganic ceramic matrix comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first outer surface and generally parallel to the first outer surface. At least one open weave fiber glass fabric is disposed in the inorganic ceramic matrix between the first surface and the second surface. In another embodiment, a composite material comprises a first inorganic ceramic matrix comprising pieces of stone, a second inorganic ceramic matrix attached adjacent to the first inorganic ceramic matrix, and at least one open weave fiber glass fabric disposed in the second inorganic ceramic matrix.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A composite material comprising:
 a first inorganic ceramic matrix comprising pieces of stone;   a second inorganic ceramic matrix adjacent to the first inorganic ceramic matrix and different in composition from the first inorganic ceramic matrix; and   at least three evenly spaced open weave fiber glass fabrics, having a void opening of at least 0.25 inches, disposed in the second inorganic ceramic matrix;   wherein at least one of the first inorganic ceramic matrix and the second inorganic ceramic matrix comprises a phosphate ceramic, and wherein the composite material is at least 1.5 inches thick.   
     
     
         16 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the stone size is 6M. 
     
     
         17 . The composite material of  claim 15 , further comprising a protection layer coupled to an outer surface of the second inorganic ceramic matrix. 
     
     
         18 . The composite material of  claim 17 , wherein the protection layer is a spall-resistant layer. 
     
     
         19 . The composite material of  claim 17 , wherein the protection layer comprises a polyuria coating. 
     
     
         20 . The composite material of  claim 17 , wherein the protection layer is coupled to the outer surface with an epoxy. 
     
     
         21 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the stone is granite. 
     
     
         22 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the first inorganic ceramic matrix is at least 0.5 inches thick and the second inorganic ceramic matrix is at least 0.5 inches thick. 
     
     
         23 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the first inorganic ceramic matrix is at least one inch thick and the second inorganic ceramic matrix is at least one inch thick. 
     
     
         24 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the first inorganic ceramic matrix comprises at about 40 percent stone by volume. 
     
     
         25 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the first organic ceramic matrix comprises at least 50 percent stone by volume. 
     
     
         26 . The composite material of  claim 25 , wherein the second organic ceramic matrix comprises at least 40 percent sand by volume. 
     
     
         27 . The composite material of  claim 25 , wherein the second organic ceramic matrix comprises at least 50 percent sand by volume. 
     
     
         28 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the second inorganic ceramic matrix comprises sand and a plurality of open weave fiber glass fabrics. 
     
     
         29 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the composite material is a panel having a length and width that are each substantially larger than its thickness. 
     
     
         30 . The composite material of  claim 29 , wherein the panel has a length of at least 7 feet. 
     
     
         31 . The composite material of  claim 29 , wherein the panel has a length of at least 13 feet. 
     
     
         32 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the at least three open weave fiber glass fabrics comprise a leno-grid fiber glass fabric. 
     
     
         33 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the at least three open weave fiber glass fabrics weigh less than 25 ounces per square yard. 
     
     
         34 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the at least three open weave fiber glass fabrics are at least partially coated with a polymer. 
     
     
         35 . The composite material of  claim 15 , wherein the composite material has a V50 value of at least 1700 ft/s as measured by MIL-STD-662F standard. 
     
     
         36 . A composite material comprising:
 an inorganic ceramic matrix comprising a first outer surface and a second outer surface opposite the first outer surface and generally parallel to the first outer surface;   a plurality of studs;   a deposition layer coupled to the plurality of studs;   at least one open weave fiber glass fabric disposed in the inorganic ceramic matrix between the first outer surf ace and the second outer surface;   wherein the inorganic ceramic matrix comprises a phosphate ceramic and contacts the deposition layer.   
     
     
         37 . The composite material of  claim 36 , wherein the deposition layer comprises a polymeric foam.